5 Helium Leaks and Missed Deadlines: Astronauts Stuck in Space on Boeing Starliner!

CONTENTS: 5 Helium Leaks and Missed Deadlines

• Boeing Starliner delay strands astronauts
• Starliner delays, safety concerns addressed

Boeing Starliner delay strands astronauts

5 Helium Leaks and Missed Deadlines

Indian-origin astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently stranded in space due to technical issues plaguing Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. In a live news conference from the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams expressed optimism despite the delay, stating, “I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”

Butch Wilmore also addressed the delay, emphasizing, “Failure is not an option.” The mission, which aimed to test the spacecraft’s capabilities, launched from Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5 and docked at the ISS the following day on June 6.

 

Starliner delays, safety concerns addressed

In a live press conference held on July 10 at 11 AM ET (8:30 PM IST in India), NASA addressed the delays affecting Indian-origin astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Safety concerns for the crew took precedence after issues with the propulsion system performance and five small helium leaks in the spacecraft’s service module were identified. NASA emphasized the importance of gathering data while the spacecraft is docked at the International Space Station (ISS).

Originally scheduled to return on June 14, Williams and Wilmore faced delays, with a subsequent postponement from June 26 due to technical glitches. As of now, NASA has not announced a new return date. Despite the extended mission, both astronauts remain comfortable and optimistic about the Starliner’s eventual safe journey back to Earth.